Glue spreading machine



Oct. 10, 1944.

F. FLUCKINGER GLUE SPREADING MACHINE Filed Oct. 8, 1941 7 Sheets-Sheet 1INVENTOR ATTORNEY Oct. 10, 1944. F. FLUCKINGE R 2,359,904

- GLUE SPREADING MACHINE Filed out; 8, 1941 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORkn/YK Buck/Mix 9 V J? ATT RNEY Oct. 10, 1944. F. FLUCKINGER GLUESPREADING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed 001;. 8, 1941 INVENTORFEHNK/ZUCKIN6E&

ATTORNEY Filed Oct. 8, 1941 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 m R Y mm M NK R 5% 0 v TWHO K v w m 3 QR Q \Q O I QM NQ ENTOR F. FLUCKINGER 2,359,904

GLUE SPREADING MACHINE Filed 001'. 8, 1941 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN my;ll/Ck/Nfk a 2% 2 ATTORNEY Oct. 10, 1944.

Oct. 10, 1944. F. FLUCKINGER 2,359,904

GLUE SPREADING MACHINE Filed Oct. 8, 1941 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Afi IN VENTORf/Tw/k I ZUC/(I/VGE/EZ ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 10, 1944 UNITED STATESPATENT 'OFFKZE 2,359,904 I GLIlE SPREADING MACHINE Frank Fluckinger,Seattle, Wash. Application October 8, 1941, Serial No. 414,071 4 Claims.(01. 91-49) This invention relates to glue spreading machines, and ithas reference more particularly to improvements in machines for theapplication of glue to the opposite surfaces of the core sheets ofplywood as used in the manufacture of plywood panels; it beingunderstood that the core sheets for suchpanels, prior to being assembledwith the adjoining or face plies, are given a coat of glue on eachsurface, then the face plies are assembled therewith and finally theassembled panel is put under pressure, which is retained during a dryingperiod or until the glue has set.

'More specifically stated, the present invention has to do withimprovements in machines of the above kind wherein the glue is appliedby rolls that rotate within glue containing troughs and are arranged forcontact with upper and lower surfaces of the core sheets as they arepassed through the machine, and wherein a doctor roll is associated witheach of the glue applying rolls for the purpose of gauging the thicknessof the glue film that is to be transferred from the roll to the engagedsurface of the core ply in passingthrough the machine. Explanatory tothe present invention, it will here be stated that, to my knowledge, itis not ments may be made simultaneously at both ends of the rolls; also,to provide for making simultaneous and equal adjustments of bothof thedoctor rolls of a machine, simultaneously at both ends thereof.

It is also an object of the invention to provide I for the making ofadjustments from a control quired adjustments may be made with accuracynew in the use of machines for the mechanical application of glue, toemploy glue applying rolls in substantially the same relationship as Inow employ them, and also, it has been the usual practise to determinethe thickness of glue film to be applied to a surface by the adjustmentof doctor rolls from and toward the surfaces of the glue applying rolls.However, there has been the. undesirable requirement, whenever anadjustment was necessary, either in the spacing of the main rollerswhich apply the glue to the opposite faces of a ply or sheet ofmaterial, or

in any adjustment of the doctor rolls relative to theglue applyingrolls, that the rolls not only be individually adjusted, but also thatadjustments of the opposite ends of each roll be individually made. V

' Means for and methods of makin adjustments as heretofore done not onlyrequired considermember that is common to the supports for both ends ofa set of rolls.

Still another object of this invention is to provide novel adjustmentmeans whereby the reand then retained without possibility of slippage.

Still further objects of the invention reside in improvements ofconstruction which permit yielding of the glue rollers relative to eachother as a means for protecting them against impact, shock or excessivewear.

Still further objects of the invention are to be found in the variousdetails of construction of parts, in their combination, and in theirmode of operation, as will. hereinafter be fully described.

In accomplishing these and other objects of l the invention, I haveprovided the improved details of construction, the preferred forms ofwhich are illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein- Fig. 1 is anelevation showing the receiving side of aglue applying machine embodyingthe present invention.

of the roll supporting posts, in the Fig. 2 is a side elevation of themachine as seen from the delivery side. Y

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the machine,

' Particularly illustrating the means for driving the glue applyingrolls, and the provision for making adjustments in spacing of the rollswithout their disconnection from the driving chain belt.

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view of the machine, as seen on the line 4-4in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional detail, taken in a horizontal plane. andon the line 5-5 in Fig. 3; the center portion of the machine beingbroken away to permit condensing of the view.

.Fig. 6 is a similar horizontal section, taken on the line 6-6 in Fig.3.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view longitudinally of one vertical plane of theline 1 -1-1 in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a horizontal section on the line 8-8 in F 7.

Fig. 9 is a sectional detail of the'structure of g Fig. 11 is anenlarged, sectional detail on the line IIII in Fig. 6.

Fig. 12 is a horizontal section on the line I2-I 2 in Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged sectional detail of a part of the uppe gluetrough construction.

Fig. 14 is a section on the line I4I4 in Fig. 13.

Referring more in detail to the drawings- As best observed by referenceto Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the present machine comprises a substantial andrigid main frame structure. This structure includes vertically andtransversely disposed opposite end frames, I and 2, which are joinedrigidly together by the longitudinally extending angle bars 3 and 4, atopposite sides of the frame structure; these bars being connected attheir ends to the frames near upper and lower ends thereof. Each of theend frames includes also as parts thereof, a cross web plate 5 thatjoins the upper end portions of the frame legs just above the points ofconnection of the longitudinal beams 3 therewith, a top plate 6 that isdisposed horizontally or flatly upon the upper ends of the frame legportions, and a vertical plate I extending transversely of the mainframe and registering along its lower edge with the inner longitudinaledge of the corresponding plate -6; all of these parts constituting theframe being welded or otherwise joined together to form a substantialand rigid structure.

Mounted upon the horizontal top plates 6 of the opposite end frames andattached by welding or otherwise to the vertical plates 1 are castings,

later to be more specifically identified, that form supports for theglue applying and the doctor rolls, presently to be described.

The present machine is equipped with two longitudinally extending andtruly cylindrical glue applying rolls Ill and I, and these are disposedlengthwise of the machine with axes parallel and disposed in the samevertical plane as shown in Fig. 4. The lengths of the rolls would besuch as to accommodate the passing of panels of substantial widthbetween them, and preferably they are of substantial diameter in orderto facilitate their use.

The rolls I0 and III, with surfaces properly prepared for their intendeduse, are supported, respectively, by their axles I I and I I, theopposite ends of which axles extend beyond the ends of the rolls and arerevolubly mounted by suitable anti-friction bearings, designated bynumeral I2, as noted in Fig. the axle II of the lower roll thus beingsupported at its opposite ends respectively, through the mediacy of thebearings I2, in bearing blocks I3 and I3 which, in turn, are mountedupon and fixed to the cross plates 6 and 6 of the opposite end frames Iand 2. In this instance, the lower roll has no provision for adjustmentrelative to the supporting frame. The upper roll I0, however, issimilarly supported at its ends in bearings I2 which are contained inseats provided therefor in bearing blocks I4 and I4, to which supportsI5 and I5 are fixed for travel on vertical guide posts I6 and I6 thatare supported from and are fixed relative to the end frames, thus toprovide for change in spacing of the glue rolls as required for thepassage of panels of different thickness between them. The means foreffecting the adjustment in spacing of the rollers I0 and I0 and forretaining an adjustment will now be described in detail.

First, it is to be observed by inspection of Fig. 5, that castings 20and 20 are fixed to or formed integral with the bearing blocks I3 andI3, in which blocks the opposite ends of the axle II of the lower glueroll III are mounted; these castings being fixed to the blocks, aretherefore fixed relative to the main frame structure. Each casting, and20', as indicated in Fig. 7, has a vertical bore 2| in which the lowerend portion of the corresponding guide post I6 or I6 is fitted for rigidsupport of the post, and the posts are formed with encircling shoulders22 engaging with seats 23 in the top surfaces of the'castings to limittheir downward movement therein.

The castings I5 and I5 are bored to receive and fit slidably on theposts I6 and I6, and as shown in Fig. 7, each casting has a cylindricalextension member 24 fixed coaxially to its upper end, and extendedsomewhat beyond the upper end of the corresponding post I6 or I6. Eachextension 24 is closed at its top end by a cap or plate 25, and bolts 26are extended down through the cap and walls of member 24, and arethreaded into the upper end flange of the bearing I5 to join the partssolidly together.

'Likewise, fixed to the lower ends of the two castings 20 and 20', arecylindrical. extensions 32, with disks 33 interposed between the lowerend surfaces of the castings and the cylindrical extensions, and theassembly united rigidly by bolts 35, as noted in Fig. 7.

I 6', which are at the opposite ends of the machine, is a tubular sleeve40, which, at its upper end, is threaded onto a central body 4| of adisk 4| which is disposed flatly against the under side of the diskwithin the upper end of the extension 24.

Each disk 4| is held against rotation with the sleeve by studs 36 whichare fixed in the disk 25 and extend down through holes 31 in the disk4|, and the disk 4| is yieldably held against disk 25 by pressure of acoiled spring 38 which is applied about a vertical bolt 39 that extendsslidably through openings centrally of the disks and which, at its lowerend, has a head 39. to support the spring and at its upper end has a nut39a applied thereto to vary the tension of the spring as required.

At its lower end, the sleeve 40 has a nut 42 fitted and fixed therein.Threaded upwardly through the nut, and coaxially contained in thesleeve, is a screw shaft which is shouldered, as at 46, by reduction ofdiameter of its lower end portion, to rest upon a horizontal disk 41which, in turn, rests upon a thrust bearing 48 which is operativelysupported on the disk 33.

The lower, reduced end portion of shaft 45 extends down through the disk33, beyond the lower end of the cylindrical extension 32, and a thrustbearing 5) is applied thereabout against the fiat under side of the disk33, and a nut 52 is threaded onto the shaft end portion 45' to engageagainst the bearing. Thus, the screw shaft 45 is held against anylongitudinal travel relative'to the casting 20 and main'frame, but itmay be freely rotated.

Fixed on the lower end of each shaft extension 45' is a relative largeworm gear wheel 54; these wheels being contained in housings 55 whichare fixed by screws 56 to the lower ends of the parts 32 as noted inFig. '7.

With the understanding that the posts I6 and I 6' at opposite ends ofthe main frame are mounted, as illustrated in Fig. '7, and that each isequipped with the internally contained adjusting screw, and variousparts associated therewith as described, forthe support and adjustmentof the guide bearings I and I5, it can be seen that by rotation of theshafts 45, the sleeves 40 will be raised or lowered accordingly and thusthe upper roller will be adjusted from or toward the lower roll I0.Furthermore, with the shafts rotating in unison, the adjustment of theroll at both ends will be equal.

To accomplish this equal adjustment, by rotation of the shafts 45 inunison, I have provided an adjusting shaft 58 which is common to theworm gears 54 of both shafts. noted in Fig. 6, extends longitudinally ofand from end to end of the main frame, and passes rotatably throughbearing portions 59 and 59 of housings 55 which enclose the worm gearwheels 54.

Fixed on the shaft 58 within the housings, and meshing with the wormgear wheels 54, are worms Ell-60', as observed in Fig. 8, and on the endof the shaft is a hand wheel 62 wherebythe shaft may be manuallyrotated, thus, through the gearing described, to effect any desiredadjustment in spacing of the upper roller, relative to the lower roller.The worms 50-50 in this instance, form automatic locks for the wormgears 54, and thus positively hold the top roller at any set position ofadjustment.

In connection with the provision of means for rotatably driving thetwoglue applying rolls I0 and Ill for the glue spreading operation, itwill be explained that each is equipped at one end with an extensionaxle, aligned with its supporting axle, and these extension axlesproject beyond one end of the machine where they are suitably equippedwith driving sprockets. By reference more particularly to Fig. 5, itwill be observed that there is such an extension axle IIzr for the"lower roll, rotatably supported in spaced bearings 69 in the casting andat its inner end, it is operatively connected to the axle II by means ofa chain couplingof the conventional type as designated at Ill. At itsouter end, the extension axle Ila: is equipped with a driving sprocketwheel I I.

By referring to Fig. 6, it will be understood that the axle I I' of thelower roll is similarly equipped with an extension axle Hy, revolublysupported in bearings inthe casting I5, and at its inner end has a chaincoupling ID with the axle II and at its outer end is equipped with adriving sprocket wheel I2.

For driving the glue rolls, the machine is equipped with an electricmotor, designated in Figs. 1 and 2 by reference numeral 15. This motorhas a driving connection, through a suitable reduction gear mechanism,indicated at I6, with a drive shaft I8 on which a sprocket wheel TI ismounted. It will be understood best by reference to Figs. 1 and 3, thata sprocket chain belt I9 operates about the driven sprocket wheel 18 andabout an idler sprocket 80 revoluble on an axis 8i supported by ahousing 82; the sprocket 80 being located somewhat above the level ofthe top roll I0, and the housing being rigid and solidly fixed to thecasting 20' and serves additionally as means for enclosing the sprocketsand chain belt. The chain belt has one run thereof This shaft 58, as

quired to grip both surfacesof the sheet; the sheet being designated bynumeral I25. .The direction of driving of the rolls would therefore beas indicated by the arrows thereon, and this is accomplished by applyingthe chain belt to the sprocket wheels in the manner shown.

It will also be understood by reference to Fig. 3, that any verticaladjustment in spacing of the rolls can be accomplished without causingany loosening or tightening of the, driving chain and without stoppingor disrupting the driving connection. Each of the rolls I0 and I0operates in a glue containing trough to pick up the glue and transfer itto the opposite faces of the sheets or panels I as passed through themachine, and each glue applying roll has a doctor roll associatedtherewith for the determination of the thickness of the glue film to beapplied thereby.

The lower roll I0 extends longitudinally within a glue trough that isformed by a horizontal bottom wall portion I30 and outward inclinedopposite sidewall portions I3I- and I32; these trough forming partsbeing extended from end to end of the frame and are welded to thevertical plates 'Il' of the opposite end frames.

Parallel with the lower glue applying roll I0 is a doctor roll I35,which, as noted in Fig. 4, is located above the normal indicated levelof glue in the trough. v

The upper roll I0 in effect forms one side wall of an upper glue troughwhich comprises also the sidewall portion I36 opposite the roll III, anda bottom wall plate I31. Associated with the roll III, as shown in Fig.4, is a doctor roll I40, and this operates in close relationship to abottom wall plate I3'I', as is best noted in The lower doctor roll I35is equipped at its ends with extended supporting trunnions or axleextensions I4I and MI, as will be understood by reference to Fig. fifandthese trunnions are contained revolubly in adjustable bearings I42 andI42. Fixed on the end of the axle extension MI is a driving gear I43.This operates in mesh with a worm I44 on a driven shaft I45 that isrevolubly mounted in bearings I45 in the casting 20 at a right angle tothe axle II, and

is operatively connectedthereto by a bevel gear I48 fixed on the shaftand meshing with a bevel gear I49 fixed on the axle.

The upper doctor roll I4ll likewise is supported at its opposite ends inthe castings I4 and I4 by means of axle extensions at its ends; theseextensions being mounted in adjustably supported bearings like thebearing I42, which carry the supporting trunnions of the doctor rollI40.

' Also, the end of the supporting axle or trunnion passed acrossopposite sides of the sprocket wheels II and I2 which are keyed on theouter ends of the extension axles H0: and Hg.

It is the intention that in use of the present machine, the core sheetsto be glued, be passed into the machine from the left-hand side as shownmeans for the lower doctor roll has herein been .illustrated in detail.

The means 'for adjusting the spacing of each doctor roll from itscorresponding glue roll to in Fig. 4, and that the spacing of rolls beas redetermine the thickness of the glue film, or coat to be appliedthereby, will be best understood by reference to Figs. 6 and 11. As waspreviously stated, the supporting trunnions MI and MI for the doctorroll I40 are revoluble in bearings I42 and I42, as shown in Fig. 6. Eachof these bearings is formed with a lateral, tubular extension I42:r, andthese extensions are slidably fitted Within horizontal and inwardlyopening bores I55 of gear housings I56 that are bolted or otherwisefixed to the outside faces of the plates 1 and 1 of the end frames I and2. A shaft I58 of reduced diameter continues outwardly from the end ofeach of the extensions I421: through an opening at the base of thecorresponding bore I55, and into an enlazged bore I59 opening to theoutside face of the housing I56. Contained in the bores I59 and threadedonto the end portions of said extension shafts I58, are nuts I60. Keyedonto each of the nuts is a Worm gear I62, and in Fig. 6 it is shown thatthese worm gears are fitted between the opposite side wall of recessesI63 in the housings I56. It is also shown that the inner ends of thenuts engage with bearings I64 which seat .against the base of the boresI59 containing the nuts. Also, it is shown that coiled springs I65 areplaced about the extension shafts I58 to engage against the bases of thebores I55 and to bear. outwardly against the bearing portions I42x.

Thus it will be understood that the position of each bearing I42 will bedetermined by the position of the corresponding ntt I60 on the shaft I58and that by turningthe nut in one direction or the other, the bearingmay be moved inwardly or outwardly. Furthermore, it will be understoodthat this rotatable adjustment of the nut I60 can be effected byrotation of the worm gear I62 that is keyed thereon.

In order that the opposite end portions of each doctor roll may besimultaneously adjusted to equal amounts with respect to its glueapplying roll and also in order that both doctor rolls may besimultaneously adjusted to equal amounts, I provide a common means foreffecting all of these adjustments, which I will now describe. a

By reference to Figs. 6 and 11, it will be understood that verticalshafts I15 and I16 are mounted at opposite ends of the machine, each toextend through the gear housings I56 for the gear sets of the upper andlower doctor rolls. Each shaft extends revolubly through the housings,but is fixed in the upper housing, as seen in Fig. 11, by a nut I18 atthe upper end of the shaft and a collar I80, which engage respectivelywith top and bottom walls of the housing, On each shaft, worm gears I85and I86 are moun ed for meshing respectively with the worm gear wheelsI62 of the upper and lower sets of adjusting mechanisms; the gears I86being slidably keyed on the shafts. These vertical shafts, at theirlower ends, pass through housings I88 that are fixed to the end frames,and have worm gears I89 keyed thereon and contained in these fixedhousings.

Extending longitudinally, of the machine is a horizontal shaft I90,which passes revolubly through hearings in the. housings I88, as Tndi-.cated in Figs. andv 12, and on this shaft, worm gears I92I92' are fixedto mesh with the gears I89-I89. At one end, the shaft I90 is equippedwith a hand wheel I93.

With this arrangement of parts, it will be understood that by rotationof the shaft I90, both vertical shafts I and I16 will be simultaneouslyrotated in unison. It will further be understood that rotation of thevertical shafts, through their respective gearing connection with thegears I62 will cause simultaneous rotation of the nuts I50 on theirrespective shafts I58, thereby to effect inward or outward adjustment ofthe doctor rolls simultaneously and to equal extent in the samedirection dependent upon the direction of rotation of the hand wheelI93.

It is to be understood more particularly by reference to Fig. '1, thatthere is a connection between the supports for the opposite ends of theupper roll and the adjusting screws. This provision is made as a safetyfactor, and makes possible the upward yielding of the upper roller inthe event that any foreign object, lump or the like should accidentallybe passed between the glue rollers with one of the panels. The springs,also provide for maintaining a desired tension which will effect theproper feeding of the panels between the rolls.

As the plywood panels are delivered from the machine after passingbetween the glue applying rolls I0 and I0, they are passed over astripper roll 200 which is supported at the outgoing side of themachine, parallel with the lower roll and substantially level with itstop edge. The stripper roll is supported at its end by trunnions 20I-20Iwhich are revolubly contained, respectively, in bearings 203 and 204. Asnoted in Fig. 6, this stripper roll has an extension axle 205 equippedwith a worm gear 206. The worm gear is in mesh with a driving worm 201on a shaft 208 which extends laterally from the casting 20, and which,at its inner end, has a geared connection at 2I0 with the gear I4I atthe end of the supporting axle for the lower glue applying roll.

The stripper roll is equipped at spaced intervals along its length withspaced circular disks 2I2, somewhat larger in diameter than the roll,and, as noted in Fig. 4, a wiper plate 2I5 is fixed to the adjacent sidewall of the lower trough to engage with the stripper roll to clear it ofexcess glue that it might pick up.

As a matter of convenience, the glue is applied first to the uppertrough and then a valve in the base of the upper trough is opened topermit glue to flow into the lower trough. This valve is shown in Figs.9 and 10, wherein 220 designates a valve plate held by a pivot bolt 22Iover an opening 222 in the base wall of the upper trough. A rod 224extends upwardly from the valve disk, which rod is equipped at its upperend with a handle portion 226 whereby the valve may be moved rotatablyabout the pivot bolt to uncover the hole for an outflow of glue to thelower trough.

The detail shown in Figs. 13 and 14 shows that the upper doctor rolloperates at its lower edge in close contact with a bottom wall plate ofthe trough. The parts are sufficiently close together as to preventleakage of glue. However, there is no fixed connection, and the doctorroll may be above the other, means for supplying glue to the rolls,bearing blocks fixed on the frame for the rotatable support of the lowerroll, guide posts fixed on the frame at opposite ends of the rolls,bearings for the rotatable support of the opposite ends of the upperroll, sleeves fixed to said bearings and slidably mounted on said posts,an adjusting screw for moving each sleeve along its post, and a manuallyoperable means common to both the adjusting screws, operable to effect asimultaneous and equal positive adjustment of the sleeves along theposts for a determination of the spacing of the rolls and yieldablemeans in each adjusting connection permitting yielding in the spacing ofthe rolls.

2. In a glue spreading machine of the character described, a framestructure, a pair of glue applying rolls disposed in parallel relation,one above the other for the passing of panels between them forapplication of glue to opposite surfaces of the panels, means forsupplying glue to the rolls, bearings fixed on the frame for rotatablesupport of the lower roll, at its opposite ends, tubular guide postsfixed on the frame, beyond the opposite ends of the rolls, bearingsrotatably mounting opposite ends of the upper roll therein, a guidesleeve fixed to each of the said bearings, and slidably mounted formovement along the corresponding post, an adjusting screw shaftrevolubly fixed in each post, a sleeve threaded onto each screw andextended upwardly beyond the upper end of the post, means fixedlyconnecting each of the said sleeves, at its upper end, with thecorresponding guide sleeves, and an adjusting shaft for rotation of saidscrews to effect simultaneous and equal adjustments of the guidebearings to determine the spacing of the glue rolls.

3. In a glue spreading machine of the characsupport of the lower roll,at its opposite ends,

tubular guide posts fixed on the frame, beyond the opposite ends of therolls, bearings rotatably mounting opposite ends of the upper rolltherein, a guide sleeve fixed to each of the said bearings and slidablymounted for movement along the corresponding post, an adjusting screwshaft revolubly fixed in each post, a sleeve threaded onto each screwand extended upwardly beyond the upper end of the post, means fixedlyconnecting each of the said sleeves, at its upper end, with thecorresponding guide sleeves, a gear wheel fixed on the lower end portionof each screw shaft, an adjusting shaft revolubly mounted and extendinglengthwise of the machine, gears fixed on said shaft in mesh withthegear wheels first mentioned and means for turning the shaft to effectthe simultaneous and equal adjustment of both guide sleeves.

4. In a glue spreading machine of the character described,- a pair ofglue rolls relatively movable mountings therefor, means for supplyingglue to the rolls, means for changing the spacing of the rolls by changein spacing of their mountings, a doctor roll associated with each glueapplying roll, individual supports for the doctor rolls at theiropposite ends movable with the rolls, and means common to all supportsfor effecting their simultaneous and equal adjustment to move the doctorrolls from and toward the glue rolls.

FRANK FLUCKINGER.

ter described, a frame structure, a pair-of glue

